Late model seat install

[rs72z]

I bought a set of 08 f150 8 way power seats with the console and rear seats for my cc. As most everyone knows the late model seats set way to high in our trucks. So you have three options, either use them as is and have your head almost touching the roof or remove all of the power and make some new rails..... not a option for me or lower the hump in the floor.
I went with the last option. There are a few build threads on here that shows some of the install process. I am going to take pics and try and show how i am doing the swap. is my way the right way? I don't know but it is going to work and be fairly straight foward. Any one with a welder and some skills can do it.

I started by measuring the distance from my head to the roof with the burb buckets and then with the new seats. The new seats put me 3" closer to the roof.
I made sure the truck was level side to side and the used a level on the hump and measred down 3" and marked it all the way around. I then used a sawsall and cut the hump out.
I then set the new seat in and checked the height and it was right on with the old seats.

[rs72z]

Showing my cut marks.

[rs72z]

Hump cut out, new seat setting in and the 16 gauge sheet metal replacement.
More later have to go now.

[v30crewcab]

what do you plan on doing about carpet? thats my only hangup with doing that I guess. looks good so far though.

[rs72z]

Been thinking about that. I will cross that bridge when I get there. My brother has a upholstery sewing machine, might be able to cut it to fit and sew it back.
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[rs72z]

more pics

[Stepper86]

Nice truck!
Is the base going to be sturdy enough with a straight plate or is the plan to add some support for it? The original hump has pressings in it to keep it stiff. Im just woundering since those seats with all the comfy functions built in must be heavier than original buckets?

[rs72z]

I am going to weld a flat strap across each side where the seats will bolt up at. I should have rolled some beads in the plates but i didn't have the roller at my shop. It should be good the plates where the seats bolt at are at the very front and the very back, and sitting in it i dont feel any movement.

[Jeepwm69]

So you had burb seats from an 88-98 series truck. Will a seat from 95-98 fit without modifications? (I'd like to get a stock bench seat from a 95-98 that has the fold down armrest)

Looks good on the leather. As far as using a Ford seat, my AMC made Jeeps were basically Frankenvehicles with all the different stuff they used to build them. Had Ford ignition, carbs, GM steering columns, etc.

[rs72z]

Originally Posted by Jeepwm69

So you had burb seats from an 88-98 series truck. Will a seat from 95-98 fit without modifications? (I'd like to get a stock bench seat from a 95-98 that has the fold down armrest)

Looks good on the leather. As far as using a Ford seat, my AMC made Jeeps were basically Frankenvehicles with all the different stuff they used to build them. Had Ford ignition, carbs, GM steering columns, etc.

The burb seats were from a 91 square body burb.
The 95-98 bench sit will work because you can change the rails on them.

[dmartin1]

yeeeow! thats a lotta carnage for some seats.
i wanted some power seats for my k20 but definately didnt wanna go that far i just searched for some that i could modify the tracks etc on and mount on the original floor.

good work though bet those will be comfy!

[rs72z]

Yea it's alot of work but it will worth it. I have lower back trouble and just cant ride in the old seats very far. I built my truck to drive and that's what i plan on doing.

[crewcabsquared]

RS, I like what you are doing. I too enjoy a good set of seats on something I drive alot. The surgery on the pans doesnt bother me at all, nothing you've done couldnt be put back to original easily. Enjoy them comfy seats!!!

[82ccshorty]

Are you going to keep the old buckets?

[rs72z]

Originally Posted by 82ccshorty

Are you going to keep the old buckets?

Gonna get rid of them.

[82ccshorty]

Originally Posted by rs72z

Gonna get rid of them.

i sent you a pm.

[Igorsgonemadd]

Hows are your seats coming along?

[rs72z]

I have been gone for a while and just got home last night. I am going to get back on it today.
I am pretty much done with the front, got to try and figure the rear out now.
More pics soon.

[chris6499]

what did you do for the carpet where you lowered the floor?

[rs72z]

It made the carpet a little to long. All I had to do was trim it to fit. It has a small crease right at the front on corner next to the sill plate, but its not bad.
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[kwin]

What is the steering wheel from?
Keith

[dieseldawg142]

nice job! gm man through & through my whole life, i too did the unthinkable & put king ranch seats in my crew, couldn't ignore the price for 8 way power & a warm butt. though i don't think i would have done it if it meant lowering the floor.mine sit on the stock ford rails about an 1" off the floor, the outside holes lined up with the factory holes, the inside holes i drilled & fish plated. i made a 2" spacer for the front inside holes to keep the rails level. back was same, 2 rear holes lined up, 2 fronts where drilled & plated. drilling a few holes i think is about as close to bolt on as you can get, otherwise it would have been 88-98 seats.

[rs72z]

I'm 6'the tall with mine sitting on the stock floor my head was a 1/2" from the roof. It had to go down. I wish it would have been that simple.
It was worth it though.
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[rs72z]

Originally Posted by kwin

What is the steering wheel from?
Keith

I think it's out of a lumina z34 or a cavalier.

[wilkin250r]

I never really understood the "Chevy vs Other Guys" mentality. GM put out some good products, but that doesn't mean every little individual aspect is better than every aspect of other brands. They've all got strong points and weak points.

I've owned old trucks and new, imports and domestics, and Ford generally had the most comfortable truck seats, my Explorer was almost as comfortable as a luxury car.